A root canal treatment is a type of endodontic therapy that is often recommended if the tooth pulp and nerves become infected or damaged. This may occur if injury or decay reaches deep into the tooth, past the outer enamel layer. When left untreated, this type of infection and disease may cause the tooth to die and necessitate tooth extraction. To restore the health of the tooth and avoid the need for extraction, the infected and injured tissues need to be removed from within the tooth, the tooth cleaned, and filled with a medicated material. The tooth with then need a restoration, such as a dental crown, to return the tooth to its original shape and structure.
Root canal treatment has a reputation for being a painful treatment. In reality, it’s usually the infection within the tooth causing the pain that patients associate with a root canal, not the actual procedure itself. The root canal treatment can often be completed quickly and with minimal to no discomfort thanks to advanced techniques and anesthesia.